Best Schools in Niles, Illinois
12 schools · 6 Elementary · 2 Middle · 2 High · 2 Other
Choosing a school in Niles?
Use this page to compare every school in Niles by level, neighborhood, and district — and find the right fit, not just the top of the list.
Shortlist starter
Start with these real page-level signals, then use the full table and map below.
Emerson Middle School
Middle · Park Ridge Ccsd 64. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Clarence E Culver School
Elementary · Niles Esd 71. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
Mark Twain Elem School
Elementary · East Maine Sd 63. Ranked from real test data; use the map and table below to check address fit.
The short answer
The top-rated schools in Niles for 2026 are Emerson Middle School (8.1/10), Clarence E Culver School (7.9/10), and Mark Twain Elem School (6.9/10), based on MySchoolScout's analysis of real test data across 9 rated schools. Ratings blend student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment (plus college readiness for high schools), with equity shown as context, not scored; schools with estimated (proxy) scores are excluded from this ranking.
Schools
12
6 public · 6 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$351,100
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Schools
12
6 public · 6 private
Avg Score
6.4
out of 10
Median Home
$351,100
home value · ACS
Districts
3
serving the city
Top-Rated Schools in Niles
Ranked by MySchoolScout composite using only schools with real test data (9 of 12). "Value" = points above what student poverty predicts. Estimated (proxy) scores are excluded.
| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Emerson Middle School | 8.1 / 10 |
| 2 | Clarence E Culver School | 7.9 / 10 |
| 3 | Mark Twain Elem School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 4 | Gemini Middle School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 5 | Northridge Preparatory School | 6.9 / 10 |
| 6 | V H Nelson Elem School | 6.4 / 10 |
| 7 | Embers Academy | 6.3 / 10 |
| 8 | Notre Dame College Prep | 5.0 / 10 |
| 9 | Logos Christian Academy | 4.4 / 10 |
See every school — including those with estimated data — in the full directory below. How we rate schools.
Family Snapshot
At a glance- Avg school rating
- 6.4/10
- Median household income
- $78,868
- Median home value
- $351,100
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 39%
- Avg commute
- 29 min
- Owner-occupied homes
- 77%
20% of schools rated 7+
Census ACS, ZIPs in this city
Owner-occupied units
Adults 25+
Workers age 16+
Of occupied housing units
How Niles compares
Illinois rank
#191 of 444
cities by avg. school score
Vs. state average
+0.1
above Illinois avg (6.2)
Median household income
$79k
96% of Illinois median
Schools in this city
10
About Schools in Niles, Illinois
Niles, Illinois is home to 12 schools, including 6 public schools and 6 private schools. The city's schools span 6 elementary schools, 2 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
With an average rating of 6.4 out of 10, schools in Niles show moderate performance on the MySchoolScout composite scale, which blends student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
The highest-performing school in Niles is Emerson Middle School with a composite score of 8.1/10, demonstrating strong academic outcomes and school quality metrics.
Niles is served by 3 school districts: East Maine SD 63, Niles ESD 71, Park Ridge CCSD 64. These districts collectively serve 8,926 students.
Niles's community shows 39% bachelor's degree attainment with a median household income of $78,868. The poverty rate in the area is 8.1%.
Browse the schools below to compare ratings, test scores, enrollment, and other key metrics. Use the filters to focus on specific school levels or types that match your family's needs.
Elementary Schools
6 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 641 students · Pre-K–8th | 7.9 | ||
| 2 | 488 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.9 | ||
| 3 | 476 students · Kindergarten–5th | 6.4 | ||
| Private Schools 3 schools Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Embers Academy
Private
177 students · Pre-K–5th | 6.3 | ||
| 2 | Childrens Learning World
Private
4 students · Pre-K–3rd | — | ||
| 3 | Kiddie Garden
Private
9 students · Pre-K–Kindergarten | — | ||
Middle Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 879 students · 6th–8th | 8.1 |
| 2 | 1,105 students · 6th–8th | 6.9 |
High Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Northridge Preparatory School
Private
321 students · 6th–12th | 6.9 |
| 2 | Notre Dame College Prep
Private
734 students · 9th–12th | 5.0 |
Other Schools
2 schools| # | School | Rating | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 142 students · Pre-K–Pre-K | 5.0 | ||
| Private Schools 1 school Private and public school ratings use different data sources and scoring models. Scores are not directly comparable across school types. | ||||
| 1 | Logos Christian Academy
Private
234 students · Pre-K–12th | 4.4 | ||
Schools in Niles
Niles, Illinois · 12 schools
Community Demographics
Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates across 1 ZIP code
Median Income
$78,868
Median Home Value
$351,100
Median Rent
$1,247/mo
Population
30,463
College Educated
39%
Homeownership
77%
Avg Commute
29 min
Poverty Rate
8.1%
Community Profile
Niles has a median household income of $78,868. It is an area where 39% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The median home value in the area is $351,100, with a median rent of $1,247/month. The local poverty rate of 8.1% is relatively low. The average commute for residents is 29 minutes. Source: U.S. Census ACS 2022 5-Year Estimates.
Schools by Level
- State
- Illinois
- Elementary
- 6
- Middle
- 2
- High
- 2
- Other
- 2
Resources
Nearby Cities
Other Major Cities in Illinois
Top metros statewide by school count.
How we rate schools
A clear 1–10 score built from public data — growth, academics, and learning environment. No hidden criteria, no pay-to-play.
See how we rateFrequently Asked Questions
Common questions about schools in Niles, Illinois
How many schools are in Niles, Illinois?
Niles has 12 schools, including 6 public and 6 private schools spanning elementary, middle, and high school levels.
What is the average school rating in Niles, Illinois?
The average MySchoolScout composite score for schools in Niles is 6.4 out of 10, built from student growth, poverty-adjusted academic achievement, and school environment — plus college readiness for high schools.
What is the top-ranked school in Niles, Illinois?
The top-ranked school in Niles on MySchoolScout is Emerson Middle School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best elementary school in Niles, Illinois?
The top-ranked elementary school in Niles on MySchoolScout is Clarence E Culver School with a composite score of 7.9/10.
What is the best middle school in Niles, Illinois?
The top-ranked middle school in Niles on MySchoolScout is Emerson Middle School with a composite score of 8.1/10.
What is the best high school in Niles, Illinois?
The top-ranked high school in Niles on MySchoolScout is Northridge Preparatory School with a composite score of 6.9/10.
How many school districts serve Niles, Illinois?
Niles is served by 3 school districts: East Maine Sd 63, Niles Esd 71, Park Ridge Ccsd 64.
What is the education level in Niles, Illinois?
According to Census data, 39% of adults in Niles have earned a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the median income in Niles, Illinois?
The median household income in Niles is approximately $78,868 according to Census ACS 2022 estimates.
Are there private schools in Niles, Illinois?
Yes, Niles has 6 private schools alongside 6 public schools. The top-rated private school is Northridge Preparatory School with a score of 6.9/10.
What is the student-teacher ratio in Niles, Illinois?
The average student-teacher ratio across schools in Niles is 13.6:1. This ratio varies by school, so families should check individual school profiles for specific classroom sizes.
How does MySchoolScout rate schools in Niles, Illinois?
MySchoolScout rates schools using publicly available data from the NCES Common Core of Data and state education departments. Each school receives a 1-10 composite score built from Student Growth, Poverty-Adjusted Academic Achievement, and School Environment — plus College Readiness for high schools. Weights vary by school level, and equity data is shown for context but not scored.
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Data from NCES Common Core of Data, Illinois Dept. of Education, and U.S. Census ACS for the 2023–24 school year. Rankings computed by MySchoolScout. See all data sources.